More About HVAC Maintenance Technicians

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians, commonly known as HVAC maintenance technicians, play a vital role in the construction and renovation of buildings and homes. These technicians allow people to maintain their cool - and warmth!

What does an HVAC maintenance technician do?
Heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration systems work to maintain the temperature, humidity, and overall air quality in homes and commercial and industrial buildings. HVAC maintenance technicians are trained in maintenance and repair as well as installation of systems, but they specialize in maintenance and repair. Some HVAC technicians specialize in one type of equipment, such as commercial refrigeration.

HVAC maintenance technicians use blueprints or other specs to repair or replace old systems. Once the equipment is installed, technicians connect the fuel and water supply lines as well as air ducts, vents, pumps, and any other devices or components that help maintain the HVAC systems in a home or building. After a furnace or air-conditioning unit has been installed, HVAC technicians keep the system operating at peak efficiency. To diagnose and correct problems, technicians check the thermostat, burner nozzles, controls, or other parts. They may adjust burners and blowers and check for leaks. It's the responsibility of the HVAC maintenance technician to troubleshoot, problem solve, and correct minor issues before they blow up into major problems.

During the summer, HVAC maintenance technicians replace ducts, filters, and other parts of the system that accumulate dust and impurities during the winter. And in the winter, HVAC maintenance technicians inspect the systems and perform required maintenance, such as overhauling compressors. HVAC technicians also maintain heat pumps that work to heat and cool a home. These systems usually require more maintenance and need to be replaced more frequently than traditional furnaces and air conditioners.

How much do HVAC maintenance technicians get paid and what kinds of HVAC maintenance technician jobs can I get?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual earnings of HVAC technicians were $39,680 in May 2008. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,350, and the top 10 percent earned more than $63,630. The top-paying industries for HVAC technicians were motor vehicle manufacturing ($73,380); navigational, measuring, electro-medical, and control instruments manufacturing ($60,040); electric power generation, transmission, and distribution ($58,620); semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing ($56,450); and wired telecommunications carriers ($56,420). Apprentices usually begin at about 50 percent of the wage rate of experienced workers and receive periodic increases as they gain experience and improve their skills.

The majority of HVAC maintenance technicians work for contractors in the cooling, heating, and plumbing industries. Some work for other organizations that rely on climate control and refrigeration industries, including schools, restaurants, and stores. About 13 percent of HVAC technicians are self-employed.

The BLS projects the demand for HVAC technicians to increase by 9 percent by 2016, and job prospects are expected to be excellent. After all, there will always be a demand for HVAC maintenance technicians. Depending on the complexity of the heating or cooling system, replacements are needed every 10 to 15 years. Even in an economic downturn, people continue to depend on their climate-control systems.

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